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Lions ready to continue Momentum eKasi Challenge unbeaten run

September 05, 2017

The Momentum eKasi Challenge has become a fun and important addition to the South African cricket calendar, providing a stage for young talent, while also taking the senior professional game to the doorstep of an audience that may otherwise not have the means to watch domestic players.

The fifth edition of the Momentum eKasi Challenge will be hosted by the Multiply Titans at the Nelson Mandela Sports Complex in Hammanskraal on Wednesday, September 13.

Gearing up for the pre-season warm-up match against close rivals, the bizhub Highveld Lions, who hope to continue with their undefeated streak which currently stands at four wins.

Despite the fierce competition between the two teams, the very heart of the eKasi Challenge is the intention of developing the sport at grassroots level and using sport as a tool for initiating life-skills training and to inspire township youth.

bizhub Highveld Lions batsman, Omphile Ramela said the mighty-hearted Lions’ players see this as an opportunity to promote cricket in the area and stimulate an interest in the sport.

“Ultimately we want to share our love of the game with those who may not have been exposed to it previously,” said Cook

Hammanskraal born Titans player Alfred Mothoa shared similar sentiments

“The eKasi Challenge is a really good initiative and if it can get more township people playing then that will make me very happy. I started playing there when I was 16 years old, just club cricket, and I didn’t expect anything. I didn’t even know what a grass pitch was until I played on one there for the first time!”

The Lions coach, Geoffrey Toyana, commented: “This event has become a highlight in the bizhub Highveld Lions calendar and we are looking forward to defending our unbeaten run. As a team, this reminds us that cricket is so much bigger than any of us and is a small way of promoting the game to new markets and ensuring that it continues to grow.”